Never thought I would say this.....

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

But then again they only want blue and red cards on the ship so I guess that would work out in Carnivals favor.

Carnival has never said that. Carnival has said they want cruisers who like the brand and not because of perks.

[TravelBluebird]

On 4/5/2023 at 5:38 PM, BlerkOne said:

Royal also used to share with Azamara until they sold off Azamara. Did any Royal customers move with Azamara? Hmmm.

 

Royal's business model includes bribery and Royal has made cutbacks to their loyalty program. No marketing/loyalty program is sustainable without change. The programs grow until available resources are exhausted. Royal cutback, MSC cutback. They all do.

 

It isn't about retention. Existing customers don't pay for new ships - new customers do. Retention doesn't grow a business and nobody retains 100% of customers. To grow a business and pay for new ships you need new customers.

 

Lots of those new customers come from existing customers.  Couple I cruised with last month on Carnival have already booked 2 more Carnival cruises—brand new to cruising AND Carnival. Next year I’m bringing along 3 additional rooms of brand new cruisers on the Jubilee—all in suites. All of those first time cruisers picked Carnival because of me and MY loyalty.

 

When the time comes that I “age out” of Carnival and want something a little quieter, Carnival should give me reason to “stay in the fold” with Princess or HAL.  For instance, I have lots of miles through United’s frequent flyer program…when I fly to Japan, I’ll often pick ANA airlines but never JAL. Why? Because my United frequent flyer status transfers to ANA. 

 

It’s just good business sense.

[cruiseguy56]

On 4/5/2023 at 4:41 PM, CajunOyster said:

 

This is at least the fourth time (in four different threads) you've complained about a chicken thigh being cut into three pieces.  Does that really bother you so much?  If it's a buffet and you can eat as much as you want, what does it matter how many pieces they cut the chicken thigh into anyway?  Do you complain about the number of slices a pizza is cut into when you can get the entire pizza?

I complain when they cut a pizza into eight pieces instead of six. But that's only because six pieces of Pizza is my limit, lol.

[cruiseguy56]

DW and I have branched out and have enjoyed each of the lines we've cruised. That said, we have also found things we DON'T like about each line. That Includes HAL which is the line we've cruised the most. Still, we've NEVER had a bad cruise. We live by the philosophy that you can be better or bitter. We go with better and have fun regardless of the glitches or inconveniences that may arise.I hope you DO try other lines and I hope you too find your restored happiness in cruising.

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

When the time comes that I “age out” of Carnival and want something a little quieter, Carnival should give me reason to “stay in the fold” with Princess or HAL.  For instance, I have lots of miles through United’s frequent flyer program…when I fly to Japan, I’ll often pick ANA airlines but never JAL. Why? Because my United frequent flyer status transfers to ANA. 

 

It’s just good business sense.

Airlines love business travelers who book flights at last minute at exorbitant prices. For the peons though, rewards are as elusive as ever with fewer and fewer seats costing more and more miles. Why? Because the demand is greater than the supply.

 

If you need a bribe to stay in the fold, you just aren't Carnival material. It is the new cruiser that spends more, and is more valuable to Carnival. If you want to stay, that is fine - they won't turn you away.

[2wheelin]

On 4/6/2023 at 2:29 PM, BlerkOne said:

How much status can they achieve if they cruise less than one cruise every three years?

Change the word status to loyalty which is what we are talking about. They would be more loyal if Carnival was the only line they cruised than the person who cruised Carnival once every three years but other lines 6 times a year.

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

If you need a bribe to stay in the fold, you just aren't Carnival material. It is the new cruiser that spends more, and is more valuable to Carnival. If you want to stay, that is fine - they won't turn you away.

 

We just disagree about this. You see it as a bribe. I see it as recognition for customer loyalty, which is meaningful to me and to many others. And I disagree that the new cruiser spends more or is more valuable to Carnival. As a “new cruiser” when young I spent very little money on either my room or onboard, and with 2 weeks of vacation a year, couldn’t cruise very often.  Now?  I have tons of time to take multiple cruises each year, and I also tend to cruise in suites and other more expensive rooms, buy a ton of specialty dining, etc.  Once Carnival ropes in those new cruisers, it’s worth their while to give them multiple reasons to stay long term, and a good loyalty program is one of those reasons.  

[BlerkOne]

5 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

We just disagree about this. You see it as a bribe. I see it as recognition for customer loyalty, which is meaningful to me and to many others. And I disagree that the new cruiser spends more or is more valuable to Carnival. As a “new cruiser” when young I spent very little money on either my room or onboard, and with 2 weeks of vacation a year, couldn’t cruise very often.  Now?  I have tons of time to take multiple cruises each year, and I also tend to cruise in suites and other more expensive rooms, buy a ton of specialty dining, etc.  Once Carnival ropes in those new cruisers, it’s worth their while to give them multiple reasons to stay long term, and a good loyalty program is one of those reasons.  

Yes, we disagree. Carnival ships are mostly not suites and Carnival suites don't come with the sweet bribes that other cruise lines provide, including reserved venues for suite guests. Suites are simply not Carnival's target market.

 

Carnival really should beef up the lower levels to keep the novice cruisers from straying too far, but has too many Platinum and Diamond cruisers. By limiting bribes, they will cull themselves.

 

All loyalty programs are marketing programs and none are sustainable without change. It's basic math. Nothing is earned or owed and all is subject to change or disappear without notice.

 

Betting the farm on older customers with limited years isn't where it is at. Carnival thrives on younger blood and it is their past, present and future. Always has been.

[TravelBluebird]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Betting the farm on older customers with limited years isn't where it is at. Carnival thrives on younger blood and it is their past, present and future. Always has been.

 

Maybe not, but betting the farm on the younger customers SHOULD include wanting to keep them around, and whether or not you believe it, loyalty programs help that happen.  It costs lots of money to acquire each new customer; KEEPING them once acquired is important.  Carnival can’t get very far with “one and done” newbies alone.  

 

For me personally, Marriott, United Airlines, Carnival…brands I started using while young with decent loyalty programs have made me use//stay with those brands through my entire life—if I have a choice between a Marriott or Hilton, same price, I’ll always choose the Marriott.  Maybe its bribery to YOU but to me I appreciate it when a company gives some appreciation for the $$ and time I’ve spent with them over the years.  

 

[BlerkOne]

3 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

Maybe not, but betting the farm on the younger customers SHOULD include wanting to keep them around, and whether or not you believe it, loyalty programs help that happen.  It costs lots of money to acquire each new customer; KEEPING them once acquired is important.  Carnival can’t get very far with “one and done” newbies alone.  

 

For me personally, Marriott, United Airlines, Carnival…brands I started using while young with decent loyalty programs have made me use//stay with those brands through my entire life—if I have a choice between a Marriott or Hilton, same price, I’ll always choose the Marriott.  Maybe its bribery to YOU but to me I appreciate it when a company gives some appreciation for the $$ and time I’ve spent with them over the years.  

 

Some more mature customers seem to have forgotten why they started cruising with Carnival, or what kept them coming back. I haven't, and I have always been at the highest Carnival level when one is introduced. I sail on Carnival because I like the brand - no bribes required.

 

[Illbcruzn4life]

1 hour ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

We just disagree about this. You see it as a bribe. I see it as recognition for customer loyalty, which is meaningful to me and to many others. And I disagree that the new cruiser spends more or is more valuable to Carnival. As a “new cruiser” when young I spent very little money on either my room or onboard, and with 2 weeks of vacation a year, couldn’t cruise very often.  Now?  I have tons of time to take multiple cruises each year, and I also tend to cruise in suites and other more expensive rooms, buy a ton of specialty dining, etc.  Once Carnival ropes in those new cruisers, it’s worth their while to give them multiple reasons to stay long term, and a good loyalty program is one of those reasons.  

Gotta agree with 100%. Our next cruise on CCL we already have 3 specialties booked plus wifi and bubbles packages. Also have a Havana cabana booked. Still don't do suites. lol We used to cruise on the cheap when the kids were young and money was scarce.

 

There are no cruise lines bribing anybody.

[jerseyjjs]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Yes, we disagree. Carnival ships are mostly not suites and Carnival suites don't come with the sweet bribes that other cruise lines provide, including reserved venues for suite guests. Suites are simply not Carnival's target market.

 

Carnival really should beef up the lower levels to keep the novice cruisers from straying too far, but has too many Platinum and Diamond cruisers. By limiting bribes, they will cull themselves.

 

All loyalty programs are marketing programs and none are sustainable without change. It's basic math. Nothing is earned or owed and all is subject to change or disappear without notice.

 

Betting the farm on older customers with limited years isn't where it is at. Carnival thrives on younger blood and it is their past, present and future. Always has been.

 

 

 

The "Bribes" Carnival comes up with are to the REAL spenders onboard, the casino players.  I've been platinum on CCL since 2013 and my offers are laughable.  A few people I know who are nowhere near my level of cruise points get free suite/balcony offers because they average 8 hours/day onboard gambling.

[Squirreladd]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Yes, we disagree. Carnival ships are mostly not suites and Carnival suites don't come with the sweet bribes that other cruise lines provide, including reserved venues for suite guests. Suites are simply not Carnival's target market.

 

Carnival really should beef up the lower levels to keep the novice cruisers from straying too far, but has too many Platinum and Diamond cruisers. By limiting bribes, they will cull themselves.

 

All loyalty programs are marketing programs and none are sustainable without change. It's basic math. Nothing is earned or owed and all is subject to change or disappear without notice.

 

Betting the farm on older customers with limited years isn't where it is at. Carnival thrives on younger blood and it is their past, present and future. Always has been.

 

As Americans age we tend to have more disposable income. So if carnival ropes someone in young offer loyalty to keep them, when they are older they are "spoiling" themselves on a cruise. 

 

Carnival's loyalty cost them very little, except maybe opportunity cost with FTTF. Otherwise it but breaking the bank to have a diamond member on. The casino offers are probably worst. 

 

Loyalty programs if done right are factored into the base product price. What it ends up doing is giving the customer the perception of more bang for their buck and giving them a reason to keep coming back. 

[BlerkOne]

33 minutes ago, jerseyjjs said:

 

 

 

The "Bribes" Carnival comes up with are to the REAL spenders onboard, the casino players.  I've been platinum on CCL since 2013 and my offers are laughable.  A few people I know who are nowhere near my level of cruise points get free suite/balcony offers because they average 8 hours/day onboard gambling.

Platinum has nothing to do with it. Carnival has wrecked their loyalty program by allowing gambler's cruises to accumulate loyalty points. They are the people with the highest number of sea days 

 

But other cruise lines also comp cruises.

 

But yes, they can be considered bribes to a niche market.

Edited April 7, 2023 by BlerkOne

[BlerkOne]

7 minutes ago, Squirreladd said:

 

As Americans age we tend to have more disposable income. So if carnival ropes someone in young offer loyalty to keep them, when they are older they are "spoiling" themselves on a cruise. 

 

Carnival's loyalty cost them very little, except maybe opportunity cost with FTTF. Otherwise it but breaking the bank to have a diamond member on. The casino offers are probably worst. 

 

Loyalty programs if done right are factored into the base product price. What it ends up doing is giving the customer the perception of more bang for their buck and giving them a reason to keep coming back. 

All cruise lines sell illusions and loyalty programs are one. Giving away trinkets and baubles is fine, but giving away revenue generators is something else. The resources on a cruise ship are limited and if you give them away, the bottom line takes a hit 

 

Marketing programs exist to achieve a certain ROI, and have budget constraints. When they fail, spending more on them is not an option. Getting into a bidding war over bribes is never a good solution. The customer is not always right, quite often is wrong, and only worth so much.

 

FTTF actually subsidized some of the P/D benefits so isn't the demon some P/D members claim it to be.

[icft]

2 hours ago, TreyB said:

Read the reviews on here.  Some people thrive on being miserable. They find fault in everything.  Imagine going through life like that. 🙄

Imagine going to a place set aside for criticism and being dumbfounded to find criticism.

🙄

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, icft said:

Imagine going to a place set aside for criticism and being dumbfounded to find criticism.

🙄

Criticism is not required to be negative.

[icft]

36 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Criticism is not required to be negative.

Nor is it required to be positive. The term implies both so folks will point out areas that fall short so others may be aware and prepared and point out areas of excellence so folks may seek them out. Both positive and negative are a service to others and not an indication that the poster is in a constant state of ecstasy or misery.

[BlerkOne]

21 minutes ago, icft said:

Nor is it required to be positive. The term implies both so folks will point out areas that fall short so others may be aware and prepared and point out areas of excellence so folks may seek them out. Both positive and negative are a service to others and not an indication that the poster is in a constant state of ecstasy or misery.

It is well known that complainers are more vocal than satisfied customers. Many people are only happy if they are complaining. More people are happy when they aren't.

 

[icft]

28 minutes ago, TreyB said:

Haven’t read any of your reviews, by my guess is that your state of mind leans towards the second option you’ve given. 

Decide for yourself:

 

 

 

[carrieluvsgreg]

On 4/6/2023 at 10:54 AM, staceyglow said:

Not sure that is true. Why would there be laws requiring a company to throw someone out of its loyalty program? Most laws like that favor the consumer. For example, in most states in the US it is illegal for gift card balances to expire. 

 

And to be honest, I wish Carnival had a rule like that, especially in regards to the folks who made Platinum under the old, easier-to-achieve rules. If you sail Carnival less than once every 3 years, are you really that "loyal"? 

We are some of those folks who made it with the old program that still continue to cruise.  We were averaging more than once per year for several years then life changed and then a world wide pandemic hit... Our 2020 cruise was canceled and we moved to a new state in 2021, all of those changes caused us not to cruise again until this Saturday when we board the Panorama.  I am especially glad that Carnival did not "kick us out".  We fully intend to book another cruise and are glad to be able to be cruising again. 

[BlerkOne]

14 minutes ago, carrieluvsgreg said:

We are some of those folks who made it with the old program that still continue to cruise.  We were averaging more than once per year for several years then life changed and then a world wide pandemic hit... Our 2020 cruise was canceled and we moved to a new state in 2021, all of those changes caused us not to cruise again until this Saturday when we board the Panorama.  I am especially glad that Carnival did not "kick us out".  We fully intend to book another cruise and are glad to be able to be cruising again. 

All of the loyalty programs that I participate in took the pandemic into consideration, including hotels that carried status over.

[bdever]

On 11/9/2022 at 12:56 PM, Raysgirl said:

I never thought I would say this, but after 15 Carnival cruises I am trying another cruise line.    We have been on 3 Carnival cruises since the restart and even though we enjoyed ourselves (a cruise is what you make of it) we are very disappointed with all the cut backs and poor service.   We knew there would be staffing issues when they first restarted and had to get back in the groove, but at this point things should be back to normal.  I think they are putting all their focus on the new ships and just leaving the older ones behind.  We have encountered slow bar services, slow dining room service with cold food and so so entertainment. Now they are nickel and diming you with their increases for things on the ship and an extra charge if you order 3 entrees.   I know 3 entrees sounds like a lot, but look at the portions they give you, they are not very big.  I have not totally given up on Carnival, I have 2 cruises currently booked, 1 for 2023 and 1 for 2024  (I just cancelled another one for 2023 to try the other cruise line) but I would like to see if the other cruise lines are experiencing the same issue.  Is anyone else disappointed on how things are going?

I feel the exact same way. I have 12 cruises with Carnival and after a transatlantic on Enchanted Princess last month I just can’t justify sailing with carnival anymore. Before Enchanted I never sailed another cruise line except Carnival and I’m only gold status with Carnival so status is not a factor. For $2,300 final price for solo sailing in a sideways interior cabin on lido deck and 100.00 OBC - this not only was for a 14 days cruise, it included drink package, WiFi (which was nonexistent for 7 days of the crossing) and gratuities. All the little things on Princess that are included made me realize that Princess is actually more value.

Gigi’s Pizzeria is open for dinner at no additional cost and they have a full menu for a 4 course meal. The international cafe is open 24 hours a day and serves sandwiches, pastries, pot pies, and soup. The MDR is open for lunch, the sanctuary is available for $20 each afternoon complete with afternoon tea service, table cloths on tables in MDRs at all times, complimentary room service 24 hours a day with great options, paper hangers for cabin doors for ordering room service breakfast & hot breakfast sandwich at no additional charge, if you want a stronger drink no problem/ bartenders will make you a double that counts as two drinks on your package, thick padded cushions & blankets put on deck loungers for movies under the stars, & hot popcorn & snacks offered for no additional charge, buffet stations are fully stocked and open all at the same time, specialty dining is cheaper at $18-$39 per person, there were a total of 11 hot tubs and 4 pools with one being adults only. Ordering food & drinks on the Medallion app to be delivered to you anywhere on the ship not only worked and was convenient, it was complimentary! The Medallion itself was a beautiful bracelet that opened my cabin door, a ledge in the shower so you can shave your legs, turn down service twice a day. That’s all I can think of off the top of my head but that alone was an eye opener. I have a deposit on a 2024 carnival sailing that I’m going to say goodbye to in leu of a 2024 transatlantic on Virgin Voyages - 15 days in a balcony for about what I paid with Princess. When I looked at carnival’s TA for next year it was going to cost $4K all in. When other lines are offering more & better quality for less money it doesn’t make sense to stick with Carnival. Oh, Princess also had bacon every day. Although I didn’t know before boarding but they were also offering unlimited thermal spa packages for $199 for the length of the voyage. 

Edited April 14, 2023 by bdever

[hard_eight]

All that but no BIG CHICKEN!😂

[Illbcruzn4life]

36 minutes ago, hard_eight said:

All that but no BIG CHICKEN!😂

That's going to be my embarkation lunch when we go on the Celebration at the end of the month.